Childminder in ShropshireOfsted inspection, 25 Nov 2010

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY411822 Inspection date 25/11/2010 Inspector Dianne Andrews

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Type of setting Childminder to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

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T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10).

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Introduction

The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included in Annex B.

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Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2010. She lives with her partner and two children in Ludlow, South Shropshire. The childminder's home is accessed via one step into the property. The whole of the childminder's home is used for childminding. She has fish and guinea pigs as pets. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, no more than three of which may be in the early years age range. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. There are presently five children on roll. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder collects children from the local school and goes to toddler groups regularly.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder creates a welcoming environment for all children and demonstrates a good understanding of their individual needs. There is a friendly working relationship with parents and effective procedures in place help to keep them informed about their child's care and learning. She has a good knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and is developing systems to help children make good progress. She has a positive attitude to improvement and is beginning to evaluate her practice in order to identify strengths and areas for development.

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 develop the use of assessment to plan the next steps in a child's developmental progress and regularly review this approach.

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the early years provision

The childminder understands her role with regards to the protection of children in her care and has appropriate systems in place to ensure they are safeguarded. She is vigilant and places high priority on children's safety. Thorough risk assessments are in place for the childminder's home and destinations for outings; effective actions are taken to manage and eliminate risks to children. Appropriate documentation in place, such as the record of visitors and the daily attendance register for the children, further supports children's well-being. The childminder recognises her strengths and has begun to use effective systems to formally evaluate her practice, such as a reflective log, which feeds into her formal self- evaluation document. She successfully involves parents in the self-evaluation process to identify areas for improvement; she asks for parents' views through questionnaires and has made alterations to the service following their comments,

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the early years provision

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 for instance she has extended her childminding hours to accommodate parents' working patterns. Thoughtful improvements to the environment and resources have been made since registration. Posters and wall displays, along with effective organisation of toys to suit the children attending, make the surroundings stimulating, welcoming and child-friendly. The childminder accesses training opportunities and promptly acts on advice from other practitioners and the local authority's development officers to promote continuous improvement. Parents are kept informed about the service the childminder provides through access to the policies and procedures which underpin the practice. An informative and eye- catching notice board in the hallway provides information about the childminder's registration and how children learn through the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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the early years provision

Parents know about the progress their children are making through the sharing of daily dairies and through access to their children's learning journey profiles, which show photographs and anecdotes and document achievements in all areas of learning. The childminder is developing her systems to show how she is using observations and assessments to plan for the next steps in children's development. The childminder has been proactive in supporting children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, promoting an inclusive service for all children and their families. She is successful in ensuring that all children get the help they need to make good progress in their learning. Children thrive because the childminder understands the benefits of partnership working; she works closely with their parents and other carers and agencies to ensure that she has a good understanding of children's individual needs.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy a wide variety of stimulating play experiences and activities, both indoors and outside, and these support their learning and development well. The childminder is able to engage them in activities and appropriately support their learning through encouragement, praise and effective role modelling. Routines include a suitable balance of child-initiated and adult-led activities. Children are very happy and settled as they roll, prod and cut the play dough. They are building their confidence while taking part in activities they enjoy. The childminder knows the children well and tailors individual activities to meet each child's stage of development, giving support where necessary. She is beginning to use what she knows about the children to plan for future progress. Children relish opportunities to explore, showing curiosity and interest in a tray of dry oats, filling and emptying a variety of different sized containers and tentatively getting used to the texture of

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and outcomes for children

the material. They play imaginatively, re-enacting familiar roles as they look after the doll, allowing her time for rest and recognising care routines involved in a baby's day. The childminder continually chatters to the children asking open-ended questions, so extending their learning and helping them to make connections. They happily use their language skills as they initiate conversations into a play telephone, pressing the buttons to create a reaction. Toddlers begin to make sounds, proudly creating noises that resound into a cup which covers the mouth. Older children make marks and trace shapes into the oats while repeating initial sounds, such as 'ssss for snake'. Children learn to play together, to socialise, to share and to respect others and as a consequence they become active and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 inquisitive learners and develop skills for the future. They behave appropriately

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and outcomes for children

and their good behaviour is promoted through praise and encouragement. They learn to be conscious of their own safety as they take part in emergency evacuation drills and are helped to learn the consequences of their actions as they are reminded, for instance, why they should not climb on the chairs. Children enjoy nutritious meals and snacks and sample menus show a range of healthy options on offer. They are encouraged to drink water regularly, so ensuring they remain hydrated. They benefit from fresh air and develop their physical skills as they play in the outdoor area each day. They become aware of the changing weather, seasons and the natural world. On his return from nursery a pre-school child changes the calendar to show the type of weather they have experienced on their walk home. The childminder actively promotes an inclusive environment; children are beginning to develop an awareness of diversity and learn about others

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and outcomes for children

as they play with a good range of resources, which positively promotes their understanding. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

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Early Years Foundation Stage

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 2 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

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Stage

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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